less common spelling of leech
1
: either vertical edge of a square sail
2
: the after edge of a fore-and-aft sail
leached; leaching; leaches
1
: to dissolve out by the action of a percolating liquid
leach out alkali from ashes
2
: to subject to the action of percolating (see percolate sense 1a) liquid (such as water) in order to separate the soluble components
3
a
: to remove (nutritive or harmful elements) from soil by percolation (see percolate sense 1a)
soil leached of its salts by torrential rains
b
: to draw out or remove as if by percolation
all meaning has been leached from my life
: to pass out or through by percolation
Nutrients leached out of the soil with rainwater.
Examples of leach in a Sentence
Verb
Even a small amount of rain can leach the toxic material from the soil.
Certain kinds of treated wood can leach chemicals into the soil.
The chemical eventually leaches away from the soil.
Recent Examples on the Web
Shaun McKinnon, The Arizona Republic, 3 June 2024
Glass bottles are less likely to absorb odors, leach chemicals, or get discolored with use.
—Dorian Smith-Garcia, Parents, 16 May 2024
Benji Jones, Vox, 18 June 2024
In this recipe, ginger, garlic and herbs lend their aromas, and the ginger leaches out its sugars, which caramelize, making the pan sauce shiny and sticky.
—Eric Kim, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for leach 
Noun
Both chemicals and hydraulic equipment will be wielded to squeeze, leach and lure lithium from its impoundment.
—Shaun McKinnon, The Arizona Republic, 3 June 2024
Glass bottles are less likely to absorb odors, leach chemicals, or get discolored with use.
—Dorian Smith-Garcia, Parents, 16 May 2024
Verb
In Central Appalachia, piles of coal waste from old mines continue to leach pollution into the water, Julie Shepherd-Powell, an anthropologist at Appalachian State University, told me.
—Benji Jones, Vox, 18 June 2024
In this recipe, ginger, garlic and herbs lend their aromas, and the ginger leaches out its sugars, which caramelize, making the pan sauce shiny and sticky.
—Eric Kim, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for leach
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'leach.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near leach
Cite this Entry
“Leach.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/leach. Accessed 2 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
leach
transitive verb1
: to subject to the action of percolating liquid (as water) in order to separate the soluble components
2
: to dissolve out by the action of a percolating liquid
: to pass out or through by percolation
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